Stefanik Gets House Leadership Chair After UN Snub

After Representative Elise Stefanik was passed over for the role of UN ambassador, questions arose about her next steps within the House Republican leadership.

That question now has an answer: Stefanik has been named Chairwoman of House Republican Leadership.

While the title sounds significant, the new position represents a demotion from her previous role as the No. 4 House Republican, the GOP Conference Chair. Representative Lisa McClain (R-MI) took over that position and will remain in that post.

Stefanik's new role as Chairwoman comes with its own budget, staff, and responsibilities covering strategy, legislation, and communications. In a statement, Stefanik framed the job's purpose as "executing on the mandate from the American people to pass President Trump’s agenda."

In addition to this new leadership position, Stefanik retains significant influence through several key appointments. She was reappointed to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, maintaining her seniority there. She also resumes her roles as a senior member on the Armed Services Committee and the Education and the Workforce Committee.

Furthermore, the Speaker appointed Stefanik to the boards of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China and the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation.

Stefanik remains very ambitious, and will likely make a push for another appointed office in the future. New York is a rather blue state which limits her options for elected office, but she may make a move for higher office again in the future. It has also been reported that former President Trump feels he owes her a significant position when the time is right.

Editor's Note: We first reported this move was likely on April 4th.